Advantages & Disadvantages

OSK the Contractors accountants provide a free detailed guide to contracting answering all your questions.

Advantages of Contracting

More money
Due to the short-term nature of the work, most employers are prepared to pay higher rates to contractors than to employees. The employer benefits through savings in holiday pay, sick pay, redundancy etc. 

Variety
The freedom to change jobs on a regular basis without the formality of notice and without associated blemishes in career history. 

Independence
The satisfaction and independence of being self-employed. 

Holidays
Not being fixed to set annual holidays. Having freedom to take extended holidays between contracts. 

Multi-Skilling
Working in different software environments adds to your skills, thus making you more marketable. 

Travel
Experienced contractors are marketable in many locations, both at home and overseas, which may give you the opportunity to travel. 

Tax Savings
Possibility of organised tax planning through running your own business. Also, with tax not being deducted at source from your income, you can earn extra interest income.

Disadvantages of Contracting

Administration
Additional paperwork and day-to-day attention to your affairs is required as you are running your own business. 

Self-Control
Ensuring you have enough money to pay the tax when it falls due. 

Holiday Pay
You receive no remuneration for holiday periods - although your contract rate is increased to reflect this. 

Sick Pay
You receive no remuneration when absent from work through illness, although this can normally be offset by a good Permanent Health Insurance policy (the premiums paid will be tax deductible). 

Security
You are not protected by current legislation offering certain rights to employees.

Training
You basically work continuously on the set of skills you had when you started the contact with little opportunity for career development or C.V. enhancement.

However OSK can help you to overcome many of these drawbacks:

• We are happy to deal with all your bookkeeping and revenue returns.
• We will advise you on tax deductible expenses to minimise your tax liability.
• Because we deal with contractors across many industries we know the issues that arise and are always available to advise.